In a deeply troubling incident at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, the Odisha Higher Education Department has taken decisive action following a B.Ed student’s suicide attempt.
The department has suspended Principal Dilip Ghosh and Education Department Head Samira Kumar Sahu after initial findings implicated both in alleged moral and academic harassment.
The student, Soumyashree Biswal, reportedly doused herself in petrol and attempted self-immolation on campus. She suffered severe burn injuries affecting nearly 90% of her body. Several other students nearby sustained injuries during the chaos.
According to student testimonies, Samira Sahu allegedly pressured her for inappropriate favours and threatened to sabotage her academic career when she refused. The accusations point toward repeated instances of misconduct and negligence on the part of the administration, with students claiming they had previously raised complaints that were ignored.
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Odisha’s Higher Education Minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, announced the suspension of both officials and confirmed that legal procedures and departmental inquiry have begun. Authorities have also detained the accused for questioning.
This incident has sparked outrage among student communities and reignited debates about accountability and safety within academic institutions in Odisha.
